Door and household appliance having the same

Abstract

A household appliance includes a main body and a door. The main body includes a chamber. The door is configured to open and close the chamber. The door includes an upper flange forming an upper surface of the door. The door also includes a side flange forming a side surface of the door. The door also includes a support flange formed by bending at an upper end of the side flange. The support flange includes a support portion configured to be in contact with the upper flange and a bent portion connecting the side flange to the support portion. The upper flange is arranged on the support portion such that one end of the upper flange is located on an upper portion of the bent portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to doors with improved structures at their corners and to household appliances with doors. Background Technology

[0002] Household appliances have chambers that perform electrical functions, such as cooking chambers or washing chambers, and include doors for opening and closing the chambers.

[0003] The door consists of a housing, glass, and an inner frame; the housing forms the door's appearance. The housing can be formed from a single sheet and can be bent in both vertical and horizontal directions to create the door's shape. In this case, the housing can be cut and bent at corners, potentially creating sharp edges that could injure the user.

[0004] To prevent this limitation, traditional techniques employ a structure that welds or covers the corner portions with shear surfaces, which adds welding operations or requires separate cap components to the door manufacturing process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] Therefore, one aspect of this disclosure is to provide such a door and a household appliance having the door, said door comprising a housing having a simple structure capable of preventing the sharp edges of the door from being exposed.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure is to provide a door that can be manufactured without additional components or additional processes (such as welding) and a household appliance having the door.

[0008] Additional aspects of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing this disclosure.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a household appliance is provided, comprising a body having a cavity and a door configured to open and close the cavity, wherein the door includes: an upper flange forming an upper surface of the door; a side flange forming a side surface of the door; and a support flange formed by bending at an upper end of the side flange, the support flange including a support portion configured to contact the upper flange and a bent portion connecting the side flange to the support portion, wherein the upper flange is disposed on the support portion such that one end of the upper flange is located on the upper portion of the bent portion.

[0011] The supporting portion may include a supporting surface having a planar shape, the curved portion may include a curved surface connected to the supporting surface, and the edge of one end of the upper flange may be arranged on the boundary between the supporting surface and the curved surface.

[0012] The supporting surface can support the upper flange while in contact with the lower surface of the upper flange.

[0013] The side flange may include: a cut-off portion formed on the upper end of the side flange; and a flat panel portion separated from the curved portion by the cut-off portion.

[0014] One end of the upper flange may be spaced apart from the plane including the outer surface of the side flange by a distance less than the thickness of the flat panel portion, and a portion of the upper flange may cover a portion of the upper surface of the flat panel portion.

[0015] The support flange may be a first support flange, and the door may also include: a rear flange formed by bending from the side flange to form part of the rear surface of the door; and a second support flange formed by bending at the upper end of the rear flange to support the upper flange.

[0016] The support portion may be a first support portion, and the curved portion may be a first curved portion, and the second support flange may include: a second support portion configured to contact the upper flange; and a second curved portion connected to the second support portion.

[0017] The second support portion can contact the lower surface of the upper flange, and the upper flange can be arranged on the second support portion such that the other end of the upper flange is located on the upper part of the second curved portion.

[0018] The rear flange may be a first rear flange, and the door may also include a second rear flange formed by bending from the upper flange and fixed to the first rear flange.

[0019] The door may also include a third support flange that connects the first support flange to the second support flange.

[0020] The door may include: a first rear flange formed by bending from a side flange to form part of the rear surface of the door; and a second rear flange formed by bending from an upper flange to form part of the rear surface of the door, wherein the second rear flange may be fixed to the first rear flange.

[0021] The first rear flange may include a first fastening hole, and the second rear flange may include a second fastening hole corresponding to the first fastening hole.

[0022] The first rear flange may include a recessed portion formed therein to allow a portion of the second rear flange to be inserted therein, and a first fastening hole may be formed in a surface of the recessed portion.

[0023] The second rear flange can be connected to the first rear flange by fastening members passing through the first and second fastening holes.

[0024] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a door for a household appliance is provided, the door comprising: a housing including an upper flange forming an upper surface of the door, and the housing forming a portion of a front surface, a side surface, and a rear surface of the door; and a support flange formed on a corner portion of the housing to support the upper flange, and including a support surface having a planar shape and a curved surface connected to the support surface, the upper flange contacting the support surface such that one end of the upper flange is adjacent to the boundary between the support surface and the curved surface on the upper portion of the curved surface.

[0025] The housing may include a side flange forming a side surface of the door and a first rear flange forming a portion of the rear surface of the door, and a support flange may be formed at a corner of the housing formed by the side flange and the first rear flange.

[0026] The support flange may include a first support flange formed by bending from a side flange, a second support flange formed by bending from a first rear flange, and a third support flange formed between the first support flange and the second support flange.

[0027] The housing may also include a second rear flange formed by bending from the upper flange and forming part of the rear surface of the door, and the second rear flange may be secured to the first rear flange.

[0028] The first rear flange may include a recessed portion formed therein to allow a portion of the second rear flange to be inserted therein, and a first fastening hole formed in the recessed portion. The second rear flange may include a second fastening hole corresponding to the first fastening hole, and the second rear flange may be secured to the first rear flange by fastening members passing through the first fastening hole and the second fastening hole.

[0029] Before proceeding with the following detailed description, it may be advantageous to define the specific words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise” and their derivatives mean including but not limited to; the term “or” is inclusive, referring to and / or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated with” and their derivatives may mean including, being included, interconnected with, containing, being contained, connected to or connected to, linked to or connected to, able to communicate with, cooperate with, interleaved, parallel, proximate, bound to or bound to, having, having the nature of, etc.; and the term “controller” means any means, system or part thereof, that controls at least one operation, such means may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or a combination of at least two of them. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether local or remote.

[0030] Furthermore, the various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed by computer-readable program code and embodied in a computer-readable medium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or more computer programs, software components, instruction sets, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, associated data, or portions thereof suitable for implementation in appropriate computer-readable program code. The phrase “computer-readable program code” includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase “computer-readable medium” includes any type of medium accessible by a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, optical disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of storage. “Non-transient” computer-readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transmit transient electrical signals or other signals. Non-transient computer-readable medium includes media that can permanently store data as well as media that can store data and subsequently rewrite it, such as rewritable optical discs or erasable storage devices.

[0031] This patent document provides definitions of specific words and phrases, and those skilled in the art will understand that in many (if not most) cases, such definitions apply to the prior and future use of the words and phrases defined in this way.

[0032] Beneficial effects

[0033] The sharp edge formed on the upper flange of the door and the curved surface of the supporting flange are connected while being adjacent to each other, thus preventing the sharp edge from being exposed to the outside and preventing damage caused by the sharp edge.

[0034] The manufacturing process of a door can be simplified by covering the edges of the corner section without the need for welding or additional parts. Attached Figure Description

[0035] These and / or other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent and more readily understood from the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 A perspective view of a household appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0037] Figure 2 The embodiments according to this disclosure are shown. Figure 1 A rear-view perspective view of the door of the household appliance shown;

[0038] Figure 3 The embodiments according to this disclosure are shown. Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of part A of the door housing shown in the diagram;

[0039] Figure 4 The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 The view shown is a section of the upper flange cut off from the housing.

[0040] Figure 5 Show along Figure 3 The view taken by line B-B' shows the first support flange and the upper flange according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 6 Show along Figure 3 The view taken by line B-B' shows the first support flange and the upper flange according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 7 Show along Figure 3 The view taken along line C-C' shows the second support flange and the upper flange according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 8 Show along Figure 3 The view taken along line C-C' shows the second support flange and the upper flange according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 9 The embodiments according to this disclosure are shown. Figure 3 An enlarged view of the flat panel portion and upper flange of the housing shown;

[0045] Figure 10 A partial cross-sectional view of the housing of a door of a household appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The following discussion Figures 1 to 10 The various embodiments used to describe the principles of this disclosure in this patent document are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of this disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged system or apparatus.

[0047] The embodiments described herein and shown in the configurations of this disclosure are merely the most preferred embodiments and do not represent the full technical spirit of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that they can be replaced by various equivalents and variations in this disclosure.

[0048] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts or components.

[0049] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. It will be understood that, unless the context clearly specifies otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural references.

[0050] It will also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and / or “having,” when used in this specification, designate the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0051] Ordinal terms such as "first" and "second" can be used to explain various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another.

[0052] For example, without departing from the teachings of this disclosure, the first element, component, region, layer, or part discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or part. When an item is described using conjunctional terms such as “...and / or ...", the description should be understood to include any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0053] The terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “top,” and “bottom” used herein are defined relative to the accompanying drawings, but these terms may not limit the shape and position of the corresponding components.

[0054] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Figure 1A perspective view of a household appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In this disclosure, an oven is used as an example of a household appliance; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and it can be applied to any household appliance including doors.

[0056] refer to Figure 1 The oven 1 may include a body 10, which includes an inner shell (not shown) and an outer shell 20. A plurality of chambers 30 and 30a may be formed in the inner shell (not shown). The outer shell 20 may be attached to the exterior of the inner shell (not shown) to form the appearance of the oven 1. The inner shell (not shown) and the outer shell 20 may each have a generally box-like shape including an open front surface.

[0057] The plurality of chambers 30 and 30a may include a first chamber 30 and a second chamber 30a. The first chamber 30 may be formed above the second chamber 30a. The plurality of chambers 30 and 30a may be used as cooking chambers and may also be used for various purposes, such as food storage.

[0058] The oven 1 may include a plurality of doors 100 and 100a disposed on the front surface of the main body 10 to open and close a plurality of chambers 30 and 30a respectively. The plurality of doors 100 and 100a may include a first door 100 for opening and closing a first chamber 30 and a second door 100a for opening and closing a second chamber 30a.

[0059] The first door 100 may include a first front glass 130, which is configured to allow the interior of the oven 1 to be seen from the outside. The second door 100a may also include a second front glass 130a.

[0060] A first door handle 110, gripped by a user, may be located on the upper portion of the front surface of the first door 100, thereby opening and closing the first chamber 30 through the first door 100. A second door handle 110a, gripped by a user, may be located on the upper portion of the front surface of the second door 100a, thereby opening and closing the second chamber 30a through the second door 100a.

[0061] Various components constituting the oven 1 can be constructed in the space between the inner shell (not shown) in which multiple chambers 30 and 30a are formed and the outer shell 20 that forms the appearance of the oven 1. In addition, a mechanical chamber (not shown) can be provided to house electronic components that control the operation of various auxiliary components.

[0062] exist Figure 1 In the present invention, oven 1 is shown having a plurality of doors 100 and 100a and a plurality of chambers 30 and 30a, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and aspects of the present disclosure may also be applied to ovens having one door and one chamber.

[0063] The first gate 100 will be described in detail below. The same description can be applied to the second gate 100a.

[0064] Figure 2 The embodiments according to this disclosure are shown. Figure 1 The image shows a rear-view perspective of the door of a household appliance. Figure 3 The embodiments according to this disclosure are shown. Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of part A of the door housing shown. Figure 4 The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 The view shown is a section of the upper flange of the housing. Figure 5 Show along Figure 3 The view taken by line B-B' shows the first support flange and the upper flange according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 Show along Figure 3 The view taken by line B-B' shows the first support flange and the upper flange according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 Show along Figure 3 The view taken along line C-C' shows the second support flange and the upper flange according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] refer to Figures 2 to 5 as well as Figure 7 The first door 100 (hereinafter referred to as the door) may include a housing 200 forming the appearance of the door 100. The housing 200 may include a front panel 210 forming the front surface of the door 100. The housing 200 may be configured into a substantially box-like shape by bending the edges of the front panel 210. The detailed structure of the housing 200 will be described below.

[0066] The door 100 may include a rear glass 160 and a fixing frame 150 for securing the rear glass 160. The rear glass 160 may be housed within the fixing frame 150. Furthermore, the rear glass 160 may be configured to seal the first chamber 30.

[0067] Door 100 may include a rear panel 140. The rear panel 140 may be mounted on the rear of door 100 to form part of the rear surface of door 100. The rear panel 140 may cover components included in door 100 so that the rear appearance of door 100 is neat.

[0068] Door 100 may include a plurality of locking devices 120. The plurality of locking devices 120 may be disposed on door 100 so that door 100 is secured to and released from body 10. The plurality of locking devices 120 may be housed within rear panel 140. In the drawings, multiple locking devices 120 are provided, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and door 100 may include a single locking device 120.

[0069] The door 100 may include a housing 200 forming the front surface, upper surface, lower surface, side surface and part of the rear surface of the door.

[0070] The housing 200 may include a front panel 210 forming the front surface of the door 100. The front panel 210 may be formed from a single panel. The edges of the front panel 210 are bent so that the housing 200 can be formed into an approximate box shape with an open portion. The front panel 210 may be bent to form the lower surface of the door 100.

[0071] The housing 200 may include a plurality of flanges 300 connected to the front panel 210. The flanges 300 may include an upper flange 310, side flanges 320, a support flange 330, and a first rear flange 361 and a second rear flange 362, which will be described below. The front panel 210 and the plurality of flanges 300 may be integrally formed with each other. The housing 200 may be formed from a single sheet metal.

[0072] The housing 200 may include a pair of side flanges 320, which form the side surfaces of the door 100 by bending at the side portions of the front panel 210. The side flanges 320 may have a flat panel shape perpendicular to the upper flange 310. The side flanges 320 may be formed by bending at both ends of the front panel 210 in an inward direction toward the door 100. The inward direction may be toward the cavity 30 of the oven 1.

[0073] The housing 200 may include a first rear flange 361, which is formed by bending from the side flange 320 to be parallel to the front panel 210 to form part of the rear surface of the door 100. The first rear flange 361 may be formed by bending from one end of the side flange 320 toward the central portion of the door 100.

[0074] The housing 200 may include an upper flange 310, which is formed by bending at the upper portion of the front panel 210 to form the upper surface of the door 100. The upper flange 310 may be formed by bending from the top of the front panel 210 in the inward direction of the door 100.

[0075] The housing 200 may include a second rear flange 362, which is formed parallel to the front panel 210 to form part of the rear surface of the door 100 by bending downward at one end of the upper flange 310. Specifically, the second rear flange 362 may be formed by bending at the rear end of the upper flange 310. The length of the second rear flange 362 in the direction perpendicular to the side flange 320 may be less than the length of the upper flange 310 in the same direction. Accordingly, the rear surface 310a and the rear end edge 310b of the upper flange 310 may be located on each lateral side of the second rear flange 362. The rear end edge 310b may correspond to an edge formed by the rear surface 310a and the lower surface 310c of the upper flange 310.

[0076] The housing 200 may include a first support flange 331 formed by bending at the upper end of a side flange 320. The first support flange 331 may include a pair of first support flanges 331 formed by bending at the upper end of a pair of side flanges 320, respectively.

[0077] The first support flange 331 may contact and support the upper flange 310. The first support flange 331 may include a first support portion 341 configured to contact the upper flange 310 and a first curved portion 351 configured to connect the first support portion 341 to the side flange 320.

[0078] The first support portion 341 may have a flat panel shape parallel to the upper flange 310. The first support portion 341 may include a first support surface 341a configured to contact the lower surface 310c of the upper flange 310. Specifically, the first support surface 341a may have a planar shape and may correspond to the upper surface of the first support portion 341.

[0079] The first curved portion 351 may have the shape of a curved plate having one end connected to the side flange 320 and the other end connected to the first support portion 341. The first curved portion 351 may include a first curved surface 351a having a curved shape. The first curved surface 351a may have a constant or varying curvature. The first curved surface 351a may correspond to the outer surface of the first curved portion 351 and may be connected to the first support surface 341a.

[0080] Since the first curved surface 351a and the first support surface 341a are connected to each other, a boundary H can be formed, and the first support portion 341 and the first curved portion 351 can be distinguished from each other based on the boundary H.

[0081] An upper flange 310 may be disposed on the first support portion 341, such that the side portion of the upper flange 310 is positioned on the boundary H between the first support portion 341 and the first curved portion 351. Specifically, when the upper flange 310 contacts the first support surface 341a, the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 is located at a position corresponding to the upper portion of the first curved portion 351 and also corresponding to the boundary H between the first support surface 341a and the first curved surface 351a. The side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 may correspond to the edge formed by the side surface 310g and the lower surface 310c of the upper flange 310.

[0082] Since the side surface 310g of the upper flange 310 extends from the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 in a direction perpendicular to the first support surface 341a, the side surface 310g of the upper flange 310 can be located on the boundary H between the first support surface 341a and the first curved surface 351a.

[0083] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 6 Show along Figure 3 The view taken by line B-B' shows the first support flange and the upper flange according to the second embodiment.

[0084] refer to Figure 6 The upper flange 310 can be disposed on the first support portion 341, such that its side portion is located in the space above the first curved portion 351. Specifically, when the upper flange 310 contacts the first support surface 341a, the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 can be located in the space above the first curved portion 351, between the boundary H between the first support surface 341a and the first curved surface 351a, and the outer surface 320a of the side flange 320. Since the side surface 310g of the upper flange 310 extends from the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 in a direction perpendicular to the first support surface 341a, the side surface 310g of the upper flange 310 can be located in the space above the first curved portion 351, between the boundary H between the first support surface 341a and the first curved surface 351a, and the outer surface 320a of the side flange 320.

[0085] Since the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 is connected to the first curved surface 351a while abutting it, the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 can be prevented from being exposed to the outside, or the extent to which the side edge 310f protrudes beyond the first support portion 341 or is exposed to the outside in the lateral direction can be minimized, thereby preventing damage caused by the sharp edge of the upper flange 310. Furthermore, since no separate welding operation or connecting member is required to trim the edge of the door 100 formed when the upper flange 310 abuts the side flange 320, the aesthetics can be improved and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0086] On the other hand, the side flange 320 may include a cut-off portion 321 formed on the upper end of the side flange 320 to create the first curved portion 351, and may include a flat panel portion 322 separated from the first curved portion 351 by the cut-off portion 321. The cut-off portion 321 may be formed to bend the metal plate to create the first curved portion 351.

[0087] Figure 9 The embodiments according to this disclosure are shown. Figure 3 An enlarged view of the flat panel portion and upper flange of the housing shown. (Reference) Figure 9 A portion of the upper flange 310 may cover a portion of the upper surface 322a of the flat panel portion 322. Specifically, the distance l between the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 and the plane P including the outer surface 320a of the side flange 320 may be less than the thickness t of the flat panel portion 322, wherein the thickness t of the flat panel portion 322 is the same as the thickness t of the side flange 320.

[0088] Since the thickness t of the flat panel portion 322 corresponds to the outer surface 320a and the inner surface 320b of the side flange 320 (see...) Figure 5 The distance between the plane P of the outer surface 320a of the side flange 320 and the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 is less than the thickness t of the flat panel portion 322. Therefore, when the distance l between the plane P of the outer surface 320a of the side flange 320 and the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 is less than the thickness t of the flat panel portion 322, the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 can be located on the upper surface 322a of the flat panel portion 322, and the lower surface 310c of the upper flange 310 can cover a portion of the upper surface 322a of the flat panel portion 322. In this case, the side edge 310f of the upper flange 310 can be located at the boundary H between the first support surface 341a and the first curved surface 351a, or it can be located between the boundary H between the first support surface 341a and the first curved surface 351a and the outer surface 320a of the side flange 320.

[0089] In this way, the sheared upper surface 322a of the flat panel portion 322 is configured to be covered by the upper flange 310, so the risk of injury due to the sheared surface of the flat panel portion 322 can be reduced.

[0090] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and Figure 1 The upper flange 310 of the household appliance shown may not cover the upper surface 322a of the flat panel portion 322. Accordingly, the upper surface 322a of the flat panel portion 322 may be fully exposed.

[0091] The housing 200 may include a second support flange 332, which is formed by bending at the upper end of a first rear flange 361. The second support flange 332 may include a pair of second support flanges 332 formed by bending at the upper ends of a pair of first rear flanges 361, which are formed by bending from a pair of side flanges 320.

[0092] The second support flange 332 may contact the upper flange 310 and support the upper flange 310. The second support flange 332 may include a second support portion 342 configured to contact the upper flange 310 and a second curved portion 352 configured to connect the second support portion 342 to the first rear flange 361.

[0093] The second support portion 342 may have a flat panel shape parallel to the upper flange 310. The second support portion 342 may include a second support surface 342a that can contact the lower surface 310c of the upper flange 310. Specifically, the second support surface 342a may have a planar shape and correspond to the upper surface of the second support portion 342.

[0094] The second curved portion 352 may have the shape of a curved plate having one end connected to the first rear flange 361 and another end connected to the second support portion 342. The second curved portion 352 may include a second curved surface 352a having a curved shape. The second curved surface 352a may have a constant or varying curvature. The second curved surface 352a may correspond to the outer surface of the second curved portion 352 and may be connected to the second support surface 342a.

[0095] When the second curved surface 352a and the second support surface 342a are connected to each other, a boundary V can be formed, and the second support portion 342 and the second curved portion 352 can be distinguished from each other based on the boundary V.

[0096] An upper flange 310 may be disposed on the second support portion 342 such that the rear end portion of the upper flange 310 is located on the boundary V between the second support portion 342 and the second curved portion 352. Specifically, when the upper flange 310 contacts the second support surface 342a, the rear end edge 310b of the upper flange 310 is located at a position corresponding to the upper portion of the second curved portion 352 and also corresponding to the boundary V between the second support surface 342a and the second curved surface 352a. Since the rear surface 310a of the upper flange 310 extends from the rear end edge 310b of the upper flange 310 in a direction perpendicular to the second support surface 342a, the rear surface 310a of the upper flange 310 can be located on the boundary V between the second support surface 342a and the second curved surface 352a.

[0097] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 8 Show along Figure 3 The view taken along line C-C' shows the second support flange and the upper flange according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. (See reference...) Figure 8 The upper flange 310 can be disposed on the second support portion 342, such that the rear end portion is located in the space above the second curved portion 352.

[0098] Specifically, when the upper flange 310 contacts the second support surface 342a, the rear end edge 310b of the upper flange 310 can be located in the space between the boundary V between the second support surface 342a and the second curved surface 352a and the outer surface 361a of the first rear flange 361, above the second curved portion 352. Since the rear surface 310a of the upper flange 310 extends from the rear end edge 310b of the upper flange 310 in a direction perpendicular to the second support surface 342a, the rear surface 310a of the upper flange 310 can be located in the space between the boundary V between the second support surface 342a and the second curved surface 352a and the outer surface 361a of the first rear flange 361, above the second curved portion 352.

[0099] Similar to the first support flange 331, the distance between the rear end edge 310b of the upper flange 310 and the plane Q including the outer surface 361a of the first rear flange 361 can be less than or equal to the thickness t of the first rear flange 361. Since the housing 200 is formed from a single metal plate, the thickness t of the first rear flange 361 can be the same as the thickness t of the side flange 320.

[0100] Since the rear end edge 310b of the upper flange 310 is connected to the second curved surface 352a while abutting it, the rear end edge 310b of the upper flange 310 can be prevented from being exposed to the outside, or the extent to which the rear end edge 310b protrudes beyond the second support portion 342 or is exposed to the outside in the lateral direction can be minimized, thereby preventing damage caused by the sharp edge of the upper flange 310. Furthermore, since no separate welding operation or connecting member is required to trim the edge of the door 100 formed when the upper flange 310 abuts the first rear flange 361, the aesthetics can be improved and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0101] When the housing 200 includes a first support flange 331 and a second support flange 332, it can be seen that the support flange 330 is disposed at the rear corner of the housing 200. Specifically, the support flange 330 is described as being disposed in the upper part of the corner formed between the side flange 320 and the first rear flange 361.

[0102] In this configuration, the housing 200 may include a third support flange 333. The third support flange 333 may be formed at the corner where the first rear flange 361 bends from the side flange 320, and the third support flange 333 may connect the first support flange 331 to the second support flange 332. Similar to the second support flange 332, the third support flange 333 may include a third support portion 343, a third curved portion 353, a third support surface 343a, and a third curved surface 353a.

[0103] The first support flange 331, the second support flange 332, and the third support flange 333 may be integrally formed with each other. The support flange 330 may include the first support flange 331, the second support flange 332, and the third support flange 333. The support flange 330 may include a support portion 340, which includes the first support portion 341, the second support portion 342, and the third support portion 343. The support flange 330 may include a bent portion 350, which includes the first bent portion 351, the second bent portion 352, and the third bent portion 353. The support portion 340 may include a support surface 340a, which includes the first support surface 341a, the second support surface 342a, and the third support surface 343a. The bent portion 350 may include a curved surface 350a, which includes the first curved surface 351a, the second curved surface 352a, and the third curved surface 353a.

[0104] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 10 A partial cross-sectional view of the housing 400 of the door of a household appliance according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0105] refer to Figure 10The second support flange 332 and the third support flange 333 can be omitted from the housing 400. In this case, since the support flange 330 is not located on the upper end of the first rear flange 361, it is not necessary to bend the metal plate. Therefore, compared to when the support flange is located on the upper end of the first rear flange 361, the first rear flange 361 has a shorter length in the direction perpendicular to the side flange 320. Accordingly, the amount and size of the sheet metal used to manufacture the housing 400 can be reduced, and the housing 400 for the door can be configured to a compact size.

[0106] The first rear flange 361 may include a first fastening hole 361b, and the second rear flange 362 may include a second fastening hole 362a corresponding to the first fastening hole 361b.

[0107] Specifically, the first rear flange 361 may include a recessed portion 363, which is formed as a recess on the outer surface 361a of the rear surface of the forming gate 100 of the first rear flange 361 in a direction toward the front panel 210. A first fastening hole 361b may be formed as a surface 363a passing through the recessed portion 363, which forms the recessed portion 363 and extends parallel to the front panel 210. A second fastening hole 362a may be formed as a second rear flange 362 passing through at a position corresponding to the first fastening hole 361b.

[0108] A portion of the second rear flange 362 can be inserted into and positioned in the recess 363. The portion of the second rear flange 362 inserted into the recess 363 is the portion in which the second fastening hole 362a is formed, such that when this portion of the second rear flange 362 is inserted into the recess 363 of the first rear flange 361, the first fastening hole 361b and the second fastening hole 362a can overlap each other. The first rear flange 361 can be connected to the second rear flange 362 by means of conventional rivets, pins, or screws passing through the first fastening holes 361b and the second fastening holes 362a.

[0109] In this way, the second rear flange can be fixed to the first rear flange using conventional fastening components such as rivets, pins, and screws, without the need for separate welding operations or special fastening components, and the number of fastening components can be minimized, thus facilitating the manufacture of housings and doors.

[0110] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and scope of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0111] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be inspired in those skilled in the art. This disclosure is intended to include such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A home appliance comprising: a main body including a cavity; and a door configured to open and close the cavity and including a cabinet forming an outer appearance of the door, wherein the cabinet is integrally formed from a single plate and includes: a front panel forming a front surface of the door; an upper flange forming an upper surface of the door, the upper flange being formed by being bent at an upper end of the front panel and extending from the upper end of the front panel; a side flange forming a side surface of the door, the side flange being bent at a side end of the front panel and extending from the side end of the front panel; and a support flange formed by being bent at an upper end of the side flange, the support flange including a support portion configured to be in contact with the upper flange and a curved portion connecting the side flange to the support portion, wherein the upper flange is disposed on the support portion, and one end of the upper flange is located on a boundary between the support portion and the curved portion or between the boundary and an outer surface of the side flange, wherein the side flange includes: a cut-out portion formed on the upper end of the side flange so that one end of the side flange can be bent to define the curved portion; and a flat panel portion extending rearward from an upper portion of the side end of the front panel and separated from the curved portion by the cut-out portion, wherein the cut-out portion is recessed downward from an upper end of the flat panel portion, wherein the flat panel portion is disposed between the front panel and the support flange, and wherein an upper portion of the cut-out portion is disposed between the flat panel portion and the curved portion, and a lower portion of the cut-out portion is disposed between the flat panel portion and a portion of the side flange below the curved portion. 2.The home appliance of claim 1, wherein: the support portion includes a planar support surface, the curved portion includes a curved surface connected to the support surface, and 3. The home appliance of claim 2, wherein, an edge of the one end of the upper flange is disposed on a boundary between the support surface and the curved surface. The support surface supports the upper flange while being in contact with a lower surface of the upper flange. 4.The home appliance of claim 1, wherein: the one end of the upper flange is spaced apart from a plane including an outer surface of the side flange by a distance smaller than a thickness of the flat panel portion, and a portion of the upper flange covers a portion of an upper surface of the flat panel portion. 5.The home appliance of claim 2, wherein: the support flange is a first support flange, and the cabinet further includes: a rear flange formed by being bent from the side flange to form a portion of a rear surface of the door; and a second support flange formed by being bent at an upper end of the rear flange to support the upper flange. 6.The home appliance of claim 5, wherein: the support portion is a first support portion, the curved portion is a first curved portion, and the second support flange includes: a second support portion configured to be in contact with the upper flange; and a second curved portion connected to the second support portion.

7. The home appliance of claim 6, wherein, The second support portion is in contact with a lower surface of the upper flange, and the upper flange is disposed on the second support portion such that another end portion of the upper flange is located on an upper portion of the second curved portion. 8.The home appliance of claim 5, wherein, the rear flange is a first rear flange, and the cabinet further includes a second rear flange formed by bending from the upper flange and fixed to the first rear flange.

9. The home appliance of claim 6, wherein, The cabinet further includes a third support flange connecting the first support flange to the second support flange.

10. The home appliance of claim 1, wherein, The cabinet includes: a first rear flange formed by bending from the side flange to form a portion of a rear surface of the door; and a second rear flange formed by bending from the upper flange to form a portion of the rear surface of the door, wherein the second rear flange is fixed to the first rear flange.

11. The domestic appliance of claim 10, wherein, The first rear flange includes a first fastening hole, and the second rear flange includes a second fastening hole corresponding to the first fastening hole. 12.The home appliance of claim 11, wherein, the first rear flange includes a recessed portion formed to allow a portion of the second rear flange to be inserted therein, and the first fastening hole is formed in one surface of the recessed portion.

13. The home appliance of claim 12, wherein, The second rear flange is coupled to the first rear flange by a fastening member passing through the first fastening hole and the second fastening hole.

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